Are Molly Fish Aggressive? | 18 Things Must Know

Molly is one of the coolest freshwater fish on the earth. They are unique and hardy fish with peaceful nature, and they are perfect for newcomers. Because mollies are easy to care for, if you have mollies, you may see molly fish chasing or fighting each other. So Are molly fish aggressive?

Indeed you wonder and, you probably have a suspicion in your mind that mollies are aggressive fish. You may worry about the tank mates that are suitable for molly fish due to this circumstance. Further reading is the best solution to find answers to your questions.

Why do Mollies get aggressive?

Are molly fish aggressive? Mollies are not typically aggressive, but if you have both female and male mollies, surely the signs are similar to aggressive behavior when crowded or surrounded by aggressive tank mates.

The reason for this behavior is the mating rituals of mollies which involve attention and seeking. This happens when the male molly chases a female molly or aggressively fights with another male molly in the tank. Further, like other animals, male molly fish become territorial and will try to protect their needs from other males in the tank. I think you got the answer to your question are molly fish aggressive? Let’s find out more about this behavior.

Do Mollies fin nippers?

Yes. Mollies nip the fins of another fish in the freshwater tanks. But it is not drastic. They are mostly very peaceful as well as mollies do not harm other aquarium fish. But it is recommended to keep only one male molly in the tank with two female molly fish as the male mollies fight with each other to establish a dominant alpha fish.

Do Mollies attack each other?

Yes. Mollies are attacking and chasing each other. It seems aggressive. But it is normal, and typically, they are not harmful to other fish.

molly fish Poecilia sphenops sometimes attack and chase other mollies when they are feeding. Also, when they are breeding, you can see aggressive behavior. In this time, male molly aggressively fights with other molly fish because of the mating rituals that involve attention and seeking behavior.

Further, male molly is chasing female molly with the purpose of mating. But It is perfectly normal behavior of mollies.

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How to reduce Mollies aggression

To reduce or eliminate the aggression of mollies, you must reduce the population of the tank. You need at least 30 gallons of the aquarium for up to four molly fish to live peacefully together for large mollies.

A 20-gallon tank should suffice if you intend to place three or four small shortfin molly fish. Therefore, you should not keep more mollies in your tank though mollies are peaceful. When crowded, it increases the aggressive behaviors of mollie fish.

Do not put two or more male mollies in the same tank with one female molly. It is the main method that helps to reduce aggression.

Are Mollies aggressive when pregnant?

Normally mollies are not aggressive, but when females molly pregnant, their behavior changes due to the pregnancy period’s length. They show aggressive behavior, and it is very different from their normal behavior. At this time, they like to frequent places that are relatively warm. Pregnant female mollies tend to hide, and they stay alert of their surroundings.

Read more Complete Guide of Dalmatian Molly Care

Why is my female molly aggressive?

Generally, female mollies are not aggressive. They are very friendly and peaceful fish. They show signs of aggression if your tank is overcrowded because molly’s stress is increased by overcrowding of the tank. As well as they show aggressive behavior when feeding.

Another reason is the stress in the pregnancy of the female molly. In this situation, female molly tends to be aggressive. But it is temporary. At this time, they like to frequent places that are relatively warm. Pregnant female mollies tend to hide and they stay alert of surroundings.

In rare cases. There are abnormal female mollies that have unusual personalities with aggressive characteristics. And also, if there is an aggressive tankmate. Sometimes mollies tend to show signs of aggressive behaviors.

Can I keep a single Molly?

It is not better to keep a single molly in your aquarium. Molly is a community fish and they like to be in school. They are community fish. If you keep your molly alone, it causes to isolate and depressed your fish. Because there should be at least a few more mollies in the same tank.

Also, other fish species can share the tank with mollies. Therefore, you may not keep your molly alone. Because they do their best when associated with other livebearers.

Are male Mollies aggressive?

If you have more male mollies, surely you may have seen a lot of fighting and a lot of aggression. Mollies are usually peaceful species. But at certain times, male molly fish show aggressive behaviors.

Mollies are aggressive eaters. Because of that, naturally, male mollies are aggressive in feeding time. Further, male mollies chase female molly fish with the purpose of mating.

Fight between male mollies can be occurred due to the attention-seeking behavior of focusing on females and maybe territory. It is advisable to do not to keep two male mollies in the same tank with one female molly.

They will chase the female molly endlessly in a never-ending attempt to mate.

Are female Mollies aggressive?

No. Normally, female mollies are not aggressive. They are peaceful species. But when the female molly becomes prepregnant, they do get more aggressive.

Aggression is depending on the length of the pregnancy period. Further, female molly is aggressive when the tank where they live is overcrowded. Because overcrowding causes to increase the stress of fish.

As a result of this, they show aggressive behaviors. In rare cases. There are abnormal female mollies that have unusual personalities with aggressive characteristics.

Read more How Long Are Mollies Pregnant For? 12 Things To Know

Will two male Mollies fight?

Yes. Though mollies are peaceful and friendly, normally, these fights can be seen in mating season. If you have two male molly fish and one female molly in your tank. You can identify these fights due to attention-seeking behavior.

Therefore, do not keep one female molly with two male mollies in the same tank. Like other animals, male molly fish become territorial and will try to protect their interests from other males in the aquarium.

Do female Mollies fight?

In general, mollies are very friendly and peaceful fish including female mollies. Females are not fighting. But there are exceptions. When female molly fish are pregnant, they may get aggressive. But it depends on the length of the pregnancy period.

They are more aggressive when close to give birth to their baby fish. And also, mollies are aggressive include females, when they are feeding. Further, if you have more fish in your tank and it is crowded, though they are females, they also tend to fight each other due to the stress.

Why do female Mollies chase male molly?

If you have one male molly with one or two female mollies or male molly fish are more than female mollies, this can happen.

Because the stress of female molly is increased due to the relentless of the male.

“One male to three females” is the optimum ratio to prevent the males from harassing the female. Also, if your female molly is pregnant, it causes to increase in the regression. Because of that, do not worry if you see, female pregnant molly is chasing male molly. The regression depends on the length of the pregnancy. They are more aggressive when close to the birth of new fries.

Are Mollies supposed to chase each other?

Mollies sometimes attack and chase other molly fish when they are feeding.

Also, when they are breeding, you can see the aggressive behavior of molly fish. In this time, male molly aggressively fights with other mollies because of the mating rituals that involve attention and seeking behavior. Further, the male molly is chasing the female molly with the purpose of mating. But It is perfectly normal behavior of mollies.

Can I keep Mollies with guppies?

Yes. You can keep mollies with guppies. Guppies are very colorful fish and are unique for their bright and varied colors.

Unlike most captive fish species, male guppies are smaller than their female counterparts. Guppies are similar in appearance to tetra and beta fish. Male guppies are more colorful and grow to a maximum length of 1.5 inches, while females are gray and not as shiny but about 2.5 inches.

Like mollies, guppies are small and quick fish, which means they are active and enjoy friendly food competition.

But they mostly need to stay out from each other.

Black Molly attacking goldfish

It is recommended to keep black molly keeps with goldfish. Because black mollies are virtually the same as common mollies. molly fish aggression cannot predict and sometimes they may be friendly and maybe aggressive.

Sometimes black molly fish tend to nip the fins of goldfish and have the probability of eating the slime off the goldfish. Black molly fish can be aggressive during mealtime and tend to bully your goldfish.

Will Mollies kill guppies?

Guppies and Mollies can live together. Both species are peaceful and have similar environmental and nutritional needs. Guppies and Mollies often tend to be friends with each other. Since they rarely attack each other, these two species of fish can coexist comfortably in the same tank.

Issues can arise when food is not enough, or there is not enough space. Although rare, when two species fight, the large molly may be killed guppies. Usually, females of both species are not fighting.

Can mollies live with Betta?

It is no better practice. But if you want to keep these two species in the same tank. It is recommended to add female molly fish with betta fish. Because male mollies aggressiveness is unpredictable, they have quite aggressive behavior when tiring to establish a hierarchy.

If you only had males, they would all be fighting for the alpha place. But if you should keep the tank big enough to live them. Because betta is also relatively aggressive and more territorial. And also, molly can take revenge when they encounter a competitive and aggressive opponent or see the dangers around them.

What fish are good tank mates for Mollies?

Mollies are social and community fish. Also, they are friendly and peaceful. Therefore, you can keep many fish species with molly fish. But do not keep large and more aggressive species with molly fish. Because mollies are small fish. Hence large fish can eat them.

However, there are many types of fish that can be kept with molly fish. They are:

• Guppy fish

• Endlers

• Platy

• Swordtail

• Neon Tetras

• Zebra Danio

• Minnows

• Corydoras

• Plecos

• Gouramis

• Angelfish

• Harlequin Rasbora

• Siamese Algae Eater

• Otocinclus Catfish

• Snails

Related Questions

Are dalmation mollies aggressive?

Naturally, dalmatian mollies are not aggressive. But there are exceptions. The breeding period is one of the times when you can find your Dolmen Molly exhibiting aggressive behavior.

Are black mollies aggressive?

These fish are black. Other than that, they are similar to common moles. Normally black bettas are friendly but when breeding, feeding, and overcrowding, they show signs of aggression as the common mollies.

Are balloon mollies aggressive?

They are not usually so, but space is an important thing. Make sure there are enough tank size and plants/hiding places. Further, they all have their personalities and aggressive behavior depends on their personalities and stress.

Are sailfin mollies aggressive?

Yes, sailfin mollies are more aggressive than other molly fish. Especially the male mollies are aggressive. It best to keep three female fish per one male fish. It helps to reduce aggression. And more carefully about the space of the tank and try to maintain enough space for your fish.

Are male mollies aggressive?

Generally, mollies are peaceful and friendly. But male molly fish show aggressive behaviors in sometimes. Mollies are aggressive eaters.

Because of that normally male mollies are aggressive in feeding time.

Further, male mollies chase female molly fish with the purpose of mating.

Fight between male mollies can be occurred due to the attention-seeking behavior of focusing on females and maybe territory.

It is advisable to do not to keep two male mollies in the same tank with one female molly. They will chase the female molly endlessly in a never-ending attempt to mate.

Are female mollies aggressive?

Even though female molly fish are community and social fish, there are exceptions. But when the female molly become pregnant, they do get more aggressive.

Aggression is depending on the length of the pregnancy period. They show more aggression when close to give birth to their baby fish Further, female molly is aggressive when their tank where they live is overcrowded.

Because overcrowding causes to increase the stress of fish. As a result of this, they show aggressive behaviors. In rare cases.

There are abnormal female mollies that have unusual personalities with aggressive characteristics.

Are lyretail molly aggressive?

Exhibits aggressive traits in some situations. For example, male molly fish are often aggressive towards each other in the fight for dominance. Also, the males may fight each other over a female molly in the tank.

Black molly fish attacking other fish

The black molly is similar to the common molly. Like common molly, they fight to defend their needs from others. And when overcrowding and feeding as well as mating they tend to chase and fight each other. But they do not harm others. It is normal behavior.

Read more Is Molly Guppy Hybrid Possible? All You Need to Know

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